Like most he went down with that terrible bout of Bilicitisis that ravaged the whole squad. Fortunately they managed to quarantine and cull the management team that were so badly affected, many whom will never recover.

Robert is slowly improving, but may never be the same unless he returns and is pierced with a large dose of Moyesinelli.

Mixed feelings. Obviously he should never have been bought at that price - I'd be pretty sure all involved now accept that. If you then take 18 months to decide what to do with him you have compounded the mistake. It is too slow - if you're working 18 months slower than the competition you are falling further behind.

I can totally see Moyes's logic if he wants to give the player another chance in pre-season, but really it's a sign of the vacuum in decision-making at the club. Last Summer he was shoved out on loan, this Summer he's back in the fold - it adds up to complete inertia. And with the greatest respect it shouldn't ever be Moyes decision - it should have been decided before the purchase was made, then more efficiently solved last Summer.

It might depend what division Villa are in as if they get promoted they might well want to retain his services. Other than that I would imagine it would be reliant on another club stumping up for his wages and transfer fee, the prospect of which I think would be slim. So another loan deal or sticks with us.